John Bland, a South African golfer who won two times on the DP World Tour, before becoming famous in the U.S.A. on the PGA Tour Champions Tour, has passed away. He was 77.
The Sunshine Tour golf circuit in South Africa announced Bland’s passing. The Sunshine Tour announced that Bland died on Tuesday, “after a long battle with cancer”.
Bland was born in Johannesburg on Sept. 22, 1945. He turned professional in 1969, and in 1970, he won the first of his 36 titles, at the Transvaal Open. He won the South African PGA Championship, one of his three victories in 1977. He repeated this feat in 1983 by winning the European Tour Benson and Hedges International against Bernhard Langer.
John Bland was a beloved South African professional golfer who had won 36 titles during a distinguished career. He died shortly after 6am, on Tuesday, 9 May 2023.
Bland (77) passed away in a hospital in George after a battle with cancer, with his family and his bulldog Handsome by his side…. pic.twitter.com/4tZic37Gu5
Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour May 9, 2020
He had a career that spanned over 40 years. He didn’t start competing in the U.S. till he was 50, but he quickly showed his worth with five senior titles. His earnings topped $7 million. In 1996, he was named Senior PGA Tour rookie of the year after winning four tournaments and placing third in the money list. Jim Colbert was Bland’s most notable opponent, finishing second in four of Bland’s five victories. Bland won the European Senior Tour three times.
Bland’s wife Sonja, his three children, John-Mark Bonney Candice and Candice, and three grandchildren survive him. He died with his family and bulldog Handsome at his side.
Bland is “one of South Africa’s most respected and loved sportsmen,” according to the Sunshine Tour.
